While horse boots are not for making a fashion statement, they play a critically important part in protecting the legs of your horse. It is important to understand that leg protection is important, especially if you plan on taking or riding your horse in a public place with lots of people around.
Leg boots offer an easy way of making sure that you keep people and other horses from stepping on or kicking the legs of your horse.
Sure, the legs of a horse are strong and majestic. However, it does not mean that you don’t need to care for them. Let’s have a look at some of the most common types of leg boots that you can get for your horse to provide maximum protection wrapped in comfort.
Splint Boots
Splint boots are popular among horse owners. These boots are molded to ensure a good fit and for providing a firmer grip on sleek surfaces to prevent slipping. Splint boots make an ideal choice for young horses since they provide extra protection on the inside of the leg. This is where the young horses often accidentally kick themselves. However, if your horse is wearing a pair of splint boots, you can rest assured that no real damage can be done by self-kicking.
Bell Boots
Bell boots are designed to protect the coronary band around the top of the hoof. They also work to protect the heels of the front feet from being stepped over by the hind hooves. These boots are generally made from rubber, neoprene or fleece-lined leather. Furthermore, they can be pulled on or fasten around with Velcro. However, it is advisable to always go for the ones that can be strapped on to make sure they fit easily and correctly.
Galloping Boots
As the name suggests, galloping boots are for horses that are involved in any sort of fast work. For example, stock horses, race horses, etc. These boots cover a large area of the legs, starting from just below the knee and reaching the fetlock. Just like bell boots, they are available in felt lined leather, fleece, and neoprene.
Skid Boots
Reining horses are often required to perform slides. Strapping skid boots on the legs of your horse is a surefire way of making sure that your horse does not end up hurting itself while sliding. These boots are designed to fit over the back of the fetlock. This makes it easy to put them on. However, care should be taken while fastening them to make sure they don’t slip.
Ankle Boots
Generally made out of leather or neoprene, ankle boots are designed to offer maximum protection to the sesamoid bones in the fetlock while galloping or jumping. For added protection and comfort, these shoes come with a padded cup on the inside.
Horse boots are an easy way of avoiding unfortunate accidents and injuries involving your horse. This makes it important to find the right leg boots for your horse. Don’t forget to check out Little Field Farm to view a wide range of best equine products for your horse!
